Difficulty producing sounds, syllables, or words that is not caused by muscle weakness or paralysis. It differs from an articulation delay or developmental delay of speech, in which a person follows the “typical” path of speech development but does so more slowly than normal. Often apraxia is characterized by difficulty putting sounds and syllables together in the correct order to form words; inconsistent mistakes; and/or atypical rhythms, stresses, and inflections of speech that express meaning and make communication sound interesting.

A developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others. Children with Asperger's Syndrome typically exhibit social awkwardness and an all-absorbing interest in specific topics. It is on the Autism spectrum.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. It is characterized by limited variety of activities and stereotypic, repetitive patterns of behavior ranging from mild to severe.

Developmental reading disorder (DRD), or dyslexia, occurs when there is a problem in areas of the brain that help interpret language. It is not caused by vision problems. The disorder is a specific information processing problem that does not interfere with one's ability to think or to understand complex ideas. Most people with DRD have normal intelligence, and many have above-average intelligence.

Expressive Language

The use of spoken or alternate communication systems to communicate one’s perceptions, ideas, feelings, or intentions.

Language Arts

School related activities such as listening, speaking, reading, writing, and spelling.

Language-based learning disabilities are problems with age-appropriate reading, spelling, and/or writing. This disorder is not about how smart a person is. Most people diagnosed with learning disabilities have average to superior intelligence. Children often struggle to communicate effectively.

Gaining meaning from information from speech, text, or alternate communication systems. Language processing disorders are often characterized with language adequate for comprehension, but the need for additional time to determine meaning. Language comprehension ability is lower than those in the same age group.

The term "pervasive development disorders," also called PDDs, refers to a group of conditions that involve delays in the development of many basic skills, most notably the ability to socialize with others, to communicate, and to use imagination. Children with these conditions often are confused in their thinking and generally have problems understanding the world around them.

Difficulty in the timing and movement of speech sequences from one sound to a syllable, word, or phrase because of involuntary repetitions, prolongations, or blockages in the flow of speech. Stuttering is not an inability to produce specific speech sounds, words or thoughts.

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Disclaimer: This information sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.